The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-03-23
A FUGITIVE FRON TEXAS
HAL HOLMES ARRESTED IN THIS
CITY FOR A MURDER
Committed at Orange, Tex, lin 1850
A Voluntary Surrender on
Assuring Promises.

Hal Holmes, a rather handsom,
white man about 80 years Of age, &C
cupies the cage at the Station Hous,
on the charge Of being fugitive from
justice. He was arrested yesterday
morning by Officer Phillips, merely OF
/ suspicion, ard exhibited to n rt..ci ia
Wis letters and kilograms giving in
formation Of murder committed il
Orange, Tex, In 1880.
Holmes came to Memphis from
Portland, Oregon, about ten days ago
and with the svowed intention OF sur.
rendering to the authorities. After
his arrival he entered into correspcn.
dence with the county officials at the
scene Of the crime, for the purpose OF
giving himself up. The reason for moi
suIrendering earlier was because he
did not wish to endure protracted in
generation in jail uutil the arrival Of
the proper officer. When approached
by Officer Phillips, he remarked, II
suppose you are after me?" "Well,"
replied the officer, 81 hsvs seen you
around several days, always idle, and
it is our duty to investigate all such
cases." "All right" said Holmes, ~
will go with you, and show my let
ters."
The letter referred to was from N.
Barton, Sheriff OF Orange county, and
evidently in answer to queries. It
stated that there WIS little doubt Of an
acquittal if the fugitive would return
and stand trial. This impression was
further confirmed, said the writer, by
q conversation with the District Attor.
ney, the Coroner and others familiar
with the facts. 1t was also suggested
that Holmes meet the Sheriff at Hous-
ton, or some nearer point than Mem
phis, as the expense necessary to
trip to this city was more than he cared
TO incur. This was the point of obiec.
tiUn between the fugitive aud officer,
and the cause OF his surrender in this
city. He ALEC had three or four tele-
grams relating to the affair, all OF
which were cheerfully shown.
Holiness statement, Rs given to the
reporter, is as follows: l shot a man
named Parker, in 1880, At the time
he was sailing under a different name,
that OF Honey, but l knew him, and
know the proper one was Parker. A
partner OF HE, named Stewart, had
been fired at by some one, and Parker
supposed did it. While had nothing
to do with the affair, l knew all about
it. He stubbornly refused to listen to
my defense and tried to kill me, and |
merely defended myself. An indict.
ment for murder was returned by the
grand jury, but my trial was delayed
until 1888. i believed the jury would
bang, but l could only get out on q
arge bond, which l was unable TO
give. In order to prevent another
ong confinement, / skipped out. The
officers could have prevented 1t II they
mad been very anxious. Ia company
with them l went down to my house,
got pistol and walked away, leaving
hem standing there with their |
runs in their hands. l travelled |
.round awhile and went 10
california, where 1 remained
Iome time, afterward going to Port |
and, Ore from whence / came here.
concluded several months ego TO 20
pack to Orange and stand my trial,
md have been in correspondence
Nth the authorities for some time. l |
rave very little doubt OF being cleared,
Is Parker was a very desperate char.
cter and had killed several men be.
ore | killed him. The Sheriff at
orange wro!e to ma and offered TO
meet me at Houston, Tex, If would
i've myself up after / wrote him
where l was. l wanted him TO come
o Memphis after me, but am willing
o 20 to Houston il he will pay my
Expenses. L may get the worst Of the
rial, but am anxious to be rid of it
ne way or the other"
Tha Texas Sheriff has been notified
f the arrest, and will probably come
hlm Immediately.